New Delhi, May 23 (FN Bureau) India is opposed to the idea of giving any binding commitment at the forthcoming World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ministerial for exempting the UN arm World Food Programme (WFP) from export restrictions on foodgrains, considering the country’s food security concerns, official sources said here on Monday. The government has firmed up its view, even as a grouping of over 70 countries led by Singapore has been mounting pressure on India to exempt WFP from export curbs. A Commerce Ministry official said that India is willing, and even in the past met all requirements of WFP but it cannot give a binding commitment considering the country’s food security concerns. India is, however, committed to help countries in need on a government-to-government (G2G) basis as it did in the case of Afghanistan and Sri Lanka recently. “We have helped countries in need of foodgrains and are ready to support further under G2G arrangement,” he said. Citing the recent restrictions on wheat exports, the official said that India has not banned wheat exports and remains committed to supply of wheat on G2G basis to countries in need.
“India is willing to meet the needs of any country but it is not convinced of the suggestion to purchase of foodgrains for non-commercial and humanitarian purposes only through WFP,” the official said. He pointed out that under the provisions of the WTO rules, members can temporarily impose export restrictions to prevent or relieve critical shortages of foodgrains or other essentials to the country. “India has been a significant contributor to the WFP in the past and it has lent extensive support to immediate and distant neighbours with food supplies,” he noted. “However, the problems faced by the WFP are related to its funding and not procurement. India, therefore, feels that this declaration other than tokenism serves no other purpose. At the WTO Ministerial meeting in Geneva next month, India would again raise the long-pending issue that exports from public stocks for the purpose of international food aid or for non-commercial humanitarian purposes including on G2G basis should be allowed.